O Saga: Part One: Book of Origins

Tsar Miro had been at his son Keir’s bedside for weeks, ignoring all else. Generals and advisors came and gone, but he had waved them away. Miro was not thinking about the war going on in Qamata.

Miro believed he should not have gone with his armies to Qamata in the first place. Why did he leave Keir alone?

At the time, Miro needed to get away because he couldn’t deal with the death of his wife. He realized now that Keir needed him just as much, and he abandoned him when he needed comfort and love.

Keir lost a mother and a father when he left for war. Miro begged for forgiveness, but Keir was barely conscious.

The physicians said Keir had started with just a cough, fever, and complaints of tiredness. They had him rest and hadn’t thought to summon for the Tsar. Keir didn’t get worse, but he also didn’t get better.

After weeks of no progression, Keir started to complain of trouble breathing. It is when they sent for Miro.

Keir had been losing weight, eating less, and getting chills and night sweats. It progresses in high fevers, pain in breathing, and heavy coughing. Miro felt helpless and wanted to ease Keir’s pain.

Miro would read stories and hold Keir’s hand. He’d help Keir eat and change his bedding and clothes. Miro didn’t want others near him.

Keir started to cough up blood and slept for longer and longer. Somedays, he wasn’t responding at all. Then he lost consciousness and hasn’t woken up yet.

Miro is at his wit’s end and doesn’t know what to do if he loses Keir. Miro goes to the Basilica and prays twice daily: In the morning and at night. The rest of the time, he spends by Keir’s side.

Tsar Miro knew of the defeat in Qamata. He knew that the Witches and their Army had abandoned their agreement. Miro knew it was only a matter of time before the Army from Hanwi surrounded Dhara. He knew all of these things but didn’t care anymore. Miro didn’t care if he lived or died anymore. He only wanted Keir to live.

Tsar Miro had started this campaign and war to help his country, but it now seemed like he had destroyed it. What would be left in the ashes, he didn’t know and doubted he’d live to see the changes.

Miro questioned his purpose. He thought God sent him to change the system. He had broken the plague of the aristocrats and given lands to those who truly needed it.

Miro vanquished the false prophets, who claimed to be church leaders but worked secretly against him. Was this God’s punishment?

“Your Highness, enemy ships have engaged our fleet. An Army from Hanwi has been spotted coming from the North. We will soon be surrounded. What do you want us to do?” Field Marshall Ramsey said, disturbing the Tsar.

Miro didn’t even turn to address Ramsey.

“The people are protesting us, my Lord. Many want to welcome the coming Armies. What are your Orders?” Ramsey tried once again to snap the Tsar out of his trance.

“Send for the Doctors and summon Commandant Toto and his Hathauda. I need him and his men to be the last line of defense to the palace. You are in command of our defenses. Please do what you can to save our people, Ramsey. I must stay here and protect the last of my lineage. Keir is the future. I must save him.”

“But what about our people? What about them?” Ramsey saluted and left.

“Do what you must.”

Ramsey left, but Miro knew it would be the last time he saw him.

Miro knew that everyone must die, but it was an unnatural thing for a child to die before a parent. No punishment could have been more cruelly handed to him.

Miro remembers the joy and delight the day Keir was born. Life is so short. One day, you’re surrounded by loved ones; the next, you’re a frail old man waiting for your turn. Miro didn’t want to be that man.

Loss is a selfish experience because the person who we mourn for is gone. They don’t feel anything. We are left with a hole to fill in our hearts. Except the hole never trust gets filled.

The pain is transferred. Keir is the one who is ailing, but Miro is the one in tears. When does the pain end, he wondered?

————

Malaika and Chaska could finally see the city of Dhara. They arrived with General Ookpik Pinga of the Hanwi Army. Elisapie and Gaia joined them on the North side of the town.

“Malaika, are there any animals or dragons we can summon to help us take this city? I’m asking for a friend.” Gaia attempted to lighten the mood.

“I don’t command them. They will choose to help us further.” Malaika said.

“We could use the fear factor of the savage beast.” Gaia continued.

“You qualify.” Malaika teased, slightly annoyed at his terminology.

“I am told I have an animal magnetism.” Gaia tries to turn the snub into a win.

“I think it’s more the smell,” Maliaka said mockingly.

“I don’t think we’ll get much fighting out here, ” Elisapie said, raining on Gaia’s parade.

“Malum, Thea, and Flaero lead the charge into the city. We get the stranglers.” Malaika said.

“If it goes like the other cities, no one will be fighting,” Elisapie added.

They marched down from the North from Qamata, and the Ishvaran people didn’t resist. In fact, they were welcoming them.

They learned that while Tsar Miro was campaigning in Qamata. The Hathauda, led by Commandant Toto, had used excessive force to suppress unrest about the war, which turned into turmoil about the conditions of food and rations. Finally, it turned into unrest about everything.

Commandant Toto didn’t hold back against his people, which turned opinion. Even when Tsar Miro returned to the city, nothing changed as the Tsar was distracted.

“I’m jealous of Rovan and Olafur; they get a day out in the water,” Gaia said.

Rovan and Olafur were aboard the Elysium. They sailed in with a fleet of ships from Hanwi. They had formed a blockade, waiting for the Armies to surround the rest of the city.

“Do you think the Tsar will surrender once they enter the city?” Elisapie asked.

“It is not the Tsar who will resist. It will be the guards and remnants of the military. They have committed crimes against their people; they will fear what will happen to them if they lose. It is in Commandant Toto’s and the Hathauda’s interest to fight until the end.” Chaska said, breaking his stoic silence.

“So will Field Marshall Ramsey. He led raids on Qamatan farmers and failed to protect the Ishvaran people. Many people shall want his head.” General Pinga said.

“The people will demand it.” Chaska agreed.

“It will probably be our fate if we return to Nanook,” Elisapie said.

“The people of Qamata will be forever grateful. I should imagine you shall be free to roam there,” Malaika comforted.

“Maybe we can join you in the mountains and make friends with the bears and wolves.” Gaia half-joked.

“Yes, the wolves are always interested in trying new meat,” Malaika said with some macabre tones.

“Won’t you. Take over as one of the Chiefs, Malaika. They were all killed?” General Pinga asked.

“I will not impose myself upon them. If they need help training the new Chiefs, I will be willing. I doubt they want my interference.” Malaika said.

Chaska gave Malaika a look that made her unsure of what it meant. Malaika hadn’t dealt with her father’s death yet. There hadn’t been time. She knew this would be over soon, and there would be time enough to deal with such things.

Atoc Baal came to General Ping’s side. He was an essential Knight in the Army of Hanwi. Atoc’s presence brought a cloud of awkwardness with him. Malaika could feel the instant tension between Chaska and him.

Chaska and Atoc were making stoic eye contact with each other. Malaika wondered if Atoc would challenge Chaska to a fight after the battle and settle old scores.

Malaika knew her Master wouldn’t be interested in such petty things. She knew she and her Master might have to make a hasty exit. Chaska didn’t want to linger. It wasn’t out of fear that he’d have to fight Atoc; it was out of fear that he would be forced to kill Atoc.

Malaika didn’t know the details about how the woman died. Atoc Baal blamed her Master, and Malaika felt Chaska was ashamed. Malaika knew shame, too. She wonders if her father would be alive if she had stayed and not left the first battle of Teodor to get help.

We all carry regret and shame. Malaika’s choice to seek help in Hanwi led to this alliance. The outcome could have been different if she hadn’t. Sometimes, there isn’t a clear path or right path. As Chaska tells Malaika all the time, “There is no such thing as right or truth. There is only point of view.”

——-

Malum, Thea, and Flaero entered the Gates of Dhara accompanied by troops from Hanwi. General Colel Yunnan commanded the troops, but at this point, everyone, even King Ohdaokta, followed Flaero.

The people of Ishvara hadn’t resisted, and this continued at Dhara. Malum and the others were greeted with cheers. They were told that the Ishvaran Army was only defending the Tsar’s palace, The Arx Suprem, and that they’d have to fight their way into Tsar Miro.

King Ohdakota, Ichante, and Apollyon led reserve forces behind Malum and his group. The King was hesitant to be overly involved as it might look like he was taking over and starting an expansion campaign himself.

Flaero was almost a leader by default. He was the one who started the fight against Tsar Miro and the only one with a real cause. Malaika and Chaska got involved in the conflict because of events in Qamata, but that was over. Elisapie and Gaia saw a bad situation and only came to help. Ichante and Apollyon wanted to keep the conflict from spreading into their lands, but now they were pulling back more so Hanwi wouldn’t be seen as the leaders. Rovan wanted to get back home, and Olafur initially joined to provide support.

Malum and Thea had become the closest to Flaero, but even they were more concerned with the Shadow Coven and the Witch of Hagar. Flaero had become the obvious choice to speak and decide for this conflict.

In the short time Malum got to know Flaero, it didn’t surprise him that he showed himself as an outstanding leader. Malum was starting to trust his advice and friendship like no other. Thea was the only person he valued more.

They reached the Arx Suprem surrounded by fifty or so guards. As you could tell by their uniforms, they were all Hathauda. Commandant Toto and Field Marshall Ramsey were with them.

“Surrender. We have come for the Tsar. Stand down, and there will be no need for bloodshed,” Flaero shouted to the guards, who did not respond.

“Let me lead the way into the palace,” Flaero said as he drew his sword.

“Always,” Malum told him as he drew his sword.

Seem once again proved deadly with a sword, cutting down three guards as quickly as the fight started. Thea was close behind him, stabbing and cutting. The pair were a force of nature and left little for Malum to do.

It wasn’t long before Flaero had reached Commandant Toto’s position. Commandant Toto had a look of surprise on his face when Flaero appeared to have his sword lodged in Toto’s abdomen. The Tsar’s loyal servant fell to his knees, bleeding out.

Thea was locking blades with Ramsey and was at a stalemate. Flaero didn’t wait for them to settle as he stepped before Thea and took over the challenge.

“Sorry, Thea. I want to finish this.” Flaero said, staring down Ramsey.

Thea threw her hands in the air and found a guard to fight.

Flaero and Ramsey moved slowly around each other, recognizing each other’s skill. One false move would mean death. After a moment spent looking for weakness, Ramsey attacked. Flaero anticipated well and took the Field Marshall’s head. Nothing stood between them and the Tsar.

“Let me go in alone,” Flaero asked.

———-

Tsar Miro heard someone finally come into his chamber. There was a lot of commotion, and he knew they’d inevitably go for him.

“Tsar Miro, all is lost. Surrender yourself.” He heard someone proclaim.

“He’s dead. He was all that I had, and now he’s dead.” Tsar Miro said through tears.

“What are you talking about?” The stranger said unsympathetically.

“My son. He’s dead. I died with him.” Tsar Miro looked over to see who he was speaking with. He saw a middle-aged man holding his sword towards him. “Who are you? I’m not sure I recognize you.”

“I’m Flaero.”

“The leader of the revolt? I did want to meet you, but under better circumstances. Have you come to kill me?” The Tsar wondered.

“I am not going to kill you.”

“We are all alone in here; I have no weapon. There is no reason to have your sword out. I will not resist. I want to stay with my son for as long as possible.”

“I wanted to come in here alone. There are some things I’d like to share with you. Can I come closer? I want to whisper something.”

Flaero whispers something in the Tsar’s ear, “I was the architect of your downfall.”

“What do you mean?” Tsar Miro went to grab Flaero by the shirt, suddenly angered. Miro never reached his shirt, as he was frozen, unable to move. He felt pain throughout his body but was helpless to do anything.

“You weren’t the only one with an alliance with the Shadow Coven. Mother Superior and I are quite fond of each other.” Flaero continued.

The Tsar trembles a little at the words.

“The Coven looked for a gifted child, a boy. They raised him as their own and taught him to become very powerful. They called him a Warlock.” Flaero revealed.

Tsar Miro felt a lifting of the pain and could move again. He knew that Flaero was showing what he could do as a warning. “You are this Warlock, aren’t you?”

“I have many names and titles; Sevim is the one I was born with,” Flaero said.

“This is what you wanted all along. My head?”

“You aren’t the only ones in need of resources. The Isle of Wicca has only so much. I was the one who leaked information about Qamatan resources to your field marshall. I was the one who leaked to Vicinia that you might be planning action in Qamata.”

“You organized all of this? I don’t believe you.” The Tsar said.

“I only pushed people gently in directions. You destroyed yourself. Your greed and ambition made you an easy target. You never questioned where the intel came from; you only saw power. So did Vicinia, who caught herself in many webs.”

“Your revolution was a hoax? Did you ever believe in the cause?”

“I’ve always believed in the cause. I want to rid the world of aristocrats and Royal families. I believe in freedom.”

“Tyrants always start as freedom fighters, don’t they?”

“You would know.”

“So I should kill you for what happened to my wife?”

“You did that yourself. Just like you caused your son’s death. You were so preoccupied with ambition that you left your son right after his mother’s death. You played with fire, and the fire burned down your house.”

The Tsar rocked back and forth as if stabbed, but nothing had. He knew it was true. He looked at the lifeless body of Keir. Miro put his left hand on his shoulder as if to try to feel his beloved wife’s presence again.

Tsar Miro fell to his knees and held his son one last time. He began to wail so loud it is said to be heard throughout the Tsardom. He repeatedly said, “I killed my boy.”

Miro whispered to himself, “I killed her, my belov….. “ but he couldn’t finish the words. Flaero walked over to him and offered a dagger.

“They are coming to kill you. I know you’ll do the honorable thing,” Flaero said, leaving.

Miro picked up the dagger and began to stab himself in the stomach enumerable times. He lay next to his son and fell asleep. All Miro could think about was how happy he’d be to see his wife and son again.

—

Tsar Miro and his son Keir were given a state funeral. A long procession with open caskets of the Tsar and his Son weaved its way through the streets of Dhara. They were heading outside the city gates to the Valley of the Kings, where they would be buried next to the grave of the Tsarina.

Despite all his deeds, the people of Ishvara held to tradition. The Royal Houses still manage to stir the people’s hearts. Perhaps the people were mourning for Keir, and the memory of Tsarina Salma made them come out.

After the burial ceremony, another was to honor those who had fought to defeat the Tsar and bring a new alliance with Qamata. Malum and others who fought received medals of honor and were made heroes of a new era.

The Chiefs of Qamata were all dead, and Ishavara had no rightful heir to the throne. The people of Qamata and Ishvara decided to join their nations and elect a leader. This leader would be named Chancellor. Two more branches would be formed to check the power of the Chancellor, the Senate and the Judicial. These would be chosen by the people and not inherited.

Qamata was divided into three states and Ishvara into two. The people of Ishvara and Qamata looked to reconcile the land taken for farmland and mines. To put the killing and forced encampments of Qamatans in the past. To work in a joint effort to move into the future. To break the strong influence of old aristocratic families and share opportunities for all.

In nature, it often takes a forest to be destroyed so that something more beautiful can grow from its ashes. A future but on hope.